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Detroit firefighters battling huge scrapyard fire

Detroit — Firefighters are working to extinguish a massive blaze that's been burning for several hours at a scrapyard on the city's east side.

The fire overtook Strong Steel Products, located on Mount Elliott and Strong Street, Friday afternoon.Ferrous Processing & Trading Co. operates out of the scrapyard. Some smoke from the fire was carried by wind and could be seen on Interstate 94.

Detroit firefighters battle a two-alarm fire at a recycling yard at on Strong Street near Mt. ...more

Detroit firefighters battle a two-alarm fire at a recycling yard at on Strong Street near Mt. Elliott and I-94 on Detroit’s near east side on Friday afternoon.

Todd McInturf, The Detroit News

Deputy Fire Commission David Fornell said as of 6 p.m., firefighters were still working to control the blaze.

"The fire is still not under control, but we're containing it, and we are currently rotating crews to actively fight it," Fornell said.

Fornell said crews are attacking recyclable material piles that are more than 100 feet high that caught fire.

"It's cold and windy, but our crews are doing a tremendous job tackling the piles and getting them knocked down," he said.

Earlier, a man working a crane declined to get down because a fire surrounded him. He was later removed safely by firefighters, Fornell said.

The cause of the fire is still unknown and no injuries have been reported.